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PETER HELMS GENERATION ONE

PETER
HELMS
m. LEAH SHOULTS ( ? - bef. 1840)

Item

Date

Location

Source

Born

c. 1767

Franklin County, VA.(?)

.

Married

5 October 1792

Rowan County, NC.

Marriage Bond

Died

18 April 1844

Montgomery County, KY.

.

Children

.

Name

Born

Location

(unknown)

(GIRL)

1794-1800

NC/KY ?

(known)

JOHN

19 May 1799

Montgomery County, KY

.

ANDREW

c. 1802

Montgomery County, KY

.

THOMAS

26 Feb 1805

Montgomery County, KY

This is the history of my great-great-great grandfather, PETER HELMS.
He may have been the son of JACOB HELM of Franklin County,
VA and maybe the grandson of MOSES HELM of Bedford County,
VA. (1) According to a copy of a Bible record, at his
death, he was 77 years old in 1844. This would place his birth between
1766 and 1768.

(1) Early (1981) correspondence with Samuel K. Helms,
Calloway, VA indicated a family of 4 sons: Adam, Peter, Thomas and
Jacob Helms had been part of his family history. He "knew" that these
children were grandchildren of Moses Helm. There has been no absolute
proof of these statements and the name "Peter" is not common in the Virginia
Helms families. No printed data on Peter prior to my investigations was
available. Mr. Helm had come up with that name independently.
The question arises, "How did he come up with the name, Peter, in this
family?" Is this a legitimate "family legend"? He also is convinced
that a Jacob Helm fathered the 4 sons by a second wife. Again there
is no primary proof of his theory. A deed exists which proves that
a Jacob Helm did have land in Back Creek, Botetourt County, VA in 1778.
(Virginia State Land Office Surveys upon which Grants Issued, LDS film
# 7118, pt. 3, p. 490 and in Botetourt County, VA, DB 3, p. 117-9).

One family tradition says he was orphaned young and was sent to live
with "relatives"....probably the Jacob Prillamans who had land in the Blackwater
River area of western Virginia.(2) Jacob is believed
to have married a Walburga Helm, sister of Elizabeth Helm who married John
Snidow.(3)
This supposition is supported by the first
record of Peter Helms: Peter, Jacob and John Prillaman witnessed the will
of Jacob Hickman in Franklin County, VA in February 1789.(4) It
is of interest that Peter Helms signed his name completely, not just an
"X", so it is obvious that he had some education.(5)

(2) Correspondence with Samuel Helm c. 1982(3) Rogers, Ellen Stanley & Miller, Norris Prillaman.
"The Prillaman Family", private publishing, 1980. p. 5-6.(4) Franklin County, VA WB #1 1786-1812, p. 37.
Witnessing a will would indicate that Peter Helms was at least 21 years
old. This would support his birth date as c. 1767. Name signed:
"Peter Helm"(5) This is particularly significant when Peter goes
to North Carolina and takes up residence beside one "John Helm", who cannot
write or sign his name on deeds. Question: Were they really
from the same family? How do you explain the difference in education?

Peter migrated to North Carolina prior to October 5, 1792 when he married
Leah Shoults (sic).(6) Surely he had been
in the area for some time previous to the marriage, time to court and win
her hand! Leah's parents are unknown.(7) William
Bedenhamer was the bondsman and Jno. Monro (sic) the witness for the Marriage
Bond. Peter Helms went to the extra trouble of obtaining a bond promising
to marry Leah and thus legally register and obtain a license for that marriage.
(8)

(6) Rowan County, NC, Marriage Book 21, p. 430.(7)As will be discussed later, Peter Helms was associated
with John Helm in the Rowan County, NC area. John Helm was
married by a Dunkard minister and indications are that his wife
was also a Dunkard. A small group of Dunkard's migrated
to Montgomery County, KY about the same time as Leah Shoults and
Peter Helms. Among this group was a Peter Shulse (Schultz)
who may have been a relation to Leah. Further research into
this connection should be done. Bethany Theological Seminary
in Oak Brook, IL and the Brethren Press, Elgin IL would be sources
to start investigations.(8)Brawley, James S. "The Rowan Story 1753-1953":
Rowan Printing Company, Salisbury, NC. 1953. p. 58. There is a Brethern
List on the internet that is now quite active as Dunkard is an offshoot
of Brethern.

There are some good circumstantial data that Peter may have had some
family connections in Rowan County. John Helm, a Revolutionary soldier
from Botetourt County, VA had settled in Rowan as early as 1782/3.(9)
By 1794, Peter was witnesses to a deed for John's land which was described
as adjoining Peter's land.(10) Peter's deed
for 100 acres of land, purchased from Elijah Merrell on both sides of Garren
Creek was witnessed by John in 1794.(11) Peter soon sold
this land and another parcel, of which there is no purchase record.(12)
Additional ties between Peter and John occurred when John named a son "Peter"
in 1796 and Peter named his eldest son "John" in 1799.(13)

(9) John Helms, Revolutionary Pension Packet # W.3811
John named his father as "Jacob Helm" and said that he had gone as a substitute
for his father. Again, S.K. Helm, has indicated a "family tradition"
with a letter from a "lost correspondent" that tells the story of a lame
father who married two times, died while helping relatives build a house
and a son who went to war for his father and returned to find only his
step-mother alive. His half-siblings had been sent to live with relatives
and he returned to North Carolina. Unfortunately, there is no primary
proof of this story. In truth, it has grown a bit, as more pieces
of data were collected, but there are some strong coincidences.(10) Rowan County, NC DB 13, p. 790-1(11) Rowan County, NC DB 13, p. 804-5.(12) Rowan County, NC DB 14, p.86-7 & p. 644-5.(13) Again, I must point out that "Peter" was not a common
name for Virginia Helmses, but was found in two Pennsylvania Helms families
of German extraction and associated with the New Jersey Swedish Helms line.

After selling his North Carolina land in August 1795, Peter and
Leah traveled to Kentucky. Peter was listed on the first tax roll of the
newly formed Montgomery County in 1797.(14) He
had no land at that time, but owned 3 horses. From 1797 until the time
of his death in 1844, Peter was found on the Montgomery County tax rolls.(15)

Perhaps no state in the union has suffered more than Kentucky
from land litigations. The laws of Virginia for the appropriation of lands
were the greatest curse that ever befell Kentucky. Sometimes as many as
five or six patents concerned the same piece of land and the occupant,
besides the title under which he entered, frequently had to purchase the
land two or three more times or lose his home and land.(16)

(16) Collins, "History of Kentucky". V. II, p.
633.

Deed Book 1 of Montgomery County is lost, but an extant Grantee Index
indicates that Peter had purchased some land prior to 1803. Peter was taxed
on 128 acres of land on Slate Creek from 1800 until 1819.(17)
This land was described as being part of Jacob Myers' patent. An 1804 deed
recorded that Peter purchased 60 acres on Slate Creek, part of Jacob Myers'
patent, from Zebulan and Caty Brinson and added to that parcel in 1806
with a 50 acre purchase from John and Sabai (sic) Melroy.(18)
The tax rolls show that Peter's estate grew from 128 acres in 1800, to
186 acres in 1805, to 236 acres in 1807. His total acreage remained at
236-225 until 1818. So it would seem that each of these deeds described
a new parcel of land.

However, in 1813, Peter purchased from Martin Quay 185 acres on main
Slate Creek for $400.(19) This may be a re-purchase
of land since his taxable acreage stayed at 225-8 until 1817 when he purchased
200 acres on Spencer Creek for $4000 from Joseph & Elizabeth Young.(20)
The inflated price of this last purchase must surely indicate the prosperity
of the area.

Three years later he picked up 100 acres on Anderson's Fork of
Small Mountain Creek for $2000 from Samuel and Annis Hadden.(21)
In that same year, 1820, Peter bought interest in 60 acres from the Morgan
Station Tract, the old Jacob Myers patent, from Harry Farain(22)
and sold 10 acres on Slate Creek to Isaac Evans for $30.(23)
The deed with Harry Farain makes reference to "Peter Helms Survey", but
I have been unable to trace the survey. The largest tract of land, 200
acres on Spencer Creek, was Peter's primary residence for the rest of his
life.

Peter sold the Slate Creek land in 4 parcels of 160 acres, 60 acres,
10 acres and 40 acres to Abihu Anderson in 1820 for $2000.(24)
Leah, his wife, released her dower rights to the property.

(24) Montgomery County, KY DB 9, p. 404-5.

The tax rolls of Montgomery County are helpful in tracing Peter's land
acquisitions and sales. His movements are reflected in them year by year,
as is his growing wealth. His assessed valuation rose from $2940 on 288
acres in 1814 to a high of $17,520 in 1838.(25)

(25) Montgomery County, KY Tax Rolls. Frankfort,
KY.

Both census and tax records show that Peter Helms was a slave
holder. He owned a maximum of 17 in 1837. He had 40 cows valued at $350
and 13 horses worth $390 in 1840.(26) Peter was
among the most prosperous farmers in the county, according to the tax rolls.

(26) Montgomery County, KY Tax Rolls. Frankfort,
KY.

The location of Montgomery County and its county seat of Mt. Sterling,
where the Bluegrass Region meets the mountains, combined with good dirt
roads and turnpikes to make the area a lively trading center in Eastern
Kentucky. "Court Day", the third Monday each month became the commercial,
legal and social focus of the county when one and all would come into town
to conduct their business.(27) Montgomery County
is particularly noted for its fine saddle horses, trotters, mules, hound
dogs and sour mash whiskey, so it is easy to imagine the lively exciting
times when our ancestors came into town those Mondays.

Peter played an important part for Court Days between 1827 and
1830 when he served as Sheriff for the county. This was one of the more
important jobs in frontier government and was usually filled by an influential
and respected man in the area. His sons John and Andrew and Thomas' father-in-law,
John Hally, assisted as deputies.(28)

(28) Montgomery County, KY DB 13, p. 162-3, p.
252.

Peter was a member of the Old Spencer Creek Church organized in the
year 1796 with ministers of the Baptist persuasion. Brother John "Racoon"
Smith came to the church around 1827 and soon followed the teachings of
Alexander Campbell, preaching the doctrine of the reformation and became
even more strongly Baptist. This caused a split in the church all over
Kentucky. The Spencer Creek Church and Peter stayed with Brother Smith
and reformation.(29) Two of Peter's children and
at least one grandchild were married by Smith(30)
and Peter was a member from 1828 until he was "excluded" in November 1841.

Peter and Leah Helms had four known children, a daughter (name
unknown), John, Andrew and Thomas Helms. We do not know the name of the
daughter who may be the eldest. She was born between 1794-1800, probably
in North Carolina(31) and married an Anderson before
1819.(32) They had two children who lived to maturity:
Peter Helms Anderson and James H. (Helms?) Anderson.

(31) 1810 Census for Montgomery County, KY, p.364.(32) Boyd. Op Cite. p. 4. Peter Helms
Anderson was her son and his birth date was given as 1819 on a tombstone
in the Machpelah Cemetery in Montgomery County, KY.

John Helms was the eldest surviving son of Peter. He was born in Montgomery
County on the 19th of May 1799 and married Larue Caldwell, 25 June 1821
in Bath County, Kentucky. She was the daughter of Walter Caldwell and Mary
(Polly) Breckenridge.(33)

Andrew, their second son, was born around 1802 and married Malinda Wyatt,
daughter of Francis Wyatt on 3 May 1821 in Montgomery County.(34)

(34) Boyd. Op Cite. p. 49

The youngest son of Peter and Leah, Thomas, was born 26 February in
1805 and married first Mary (Polly) Hawley/Halley, daughter of John Halley
and Nancy Douglass.(35) His second marriage was
with Amanda Ricketts on 12 April 1841.(36) She
was the daughter of Thomas Ricketts and Polly Mitchell.

Peter's family was very close, his sons John and Andrew did not
have their own farms immediately after marriage as most of the other young
men did. John is first charged with 100 acres on Spencer Creek in 1830,
nine years after his marriage.(37) Peter and Leah
sold John 100 acres on Anderson's Fork of Small Mountain Creek for $1.00
in September 1835.(38) John and his wife Larue
promptly sold this tract to Samuel D. Everett for $25 per acre(39)
and moved to Lewis County, Missouri(40) and then
on to Ralls County, Missouri.(41) Peter only split
his holdings to give John his patrimony when John planned to leave Kentucky.

Andrew Helms purchased some land on the Lulbyand(?) and Hinkston Creeks
from the Duree heirs.(42) Peter, in turn, bought
this land from Andrew in 1831 for $10 per acre(43)
and sold it to George Black the same year.(44)
There are no more records for Andrew in Montgomery: no deeds or no tax
records.

Thomas, alone, purchased land when he was married and is listed
on the 1829 tax rolls as holding 59 acres on Busch Creek.(45)

(45) Montgomery County, KY Tax Rolls.

By 1839 Peter and Leah had only one son living in Montgomery County
- John was listed as a property owner in Ralls County, MO and Andrew had
died.(46) Their daughter Anderson was probably
dead also, since there were two boys living with Peter in the 1830 and
1840 census who matched the Andersons' ages.(47)
Leah died between February 1838, when she released her dower rights on
a deed,(48) and the 1840 census.

In 1840 Peter and Thomas paid a joint tax bill under Thomas' name.(49)
The census that year placed Peter between 70 and 80 years old. Peter died
on 18 April 1844 and according to a lost family Bible, was some 77 years
old. The date of his death is supported by documents pertaining to his
estate which were recorded in May 1844.

(49) Montgomery County, KY, Tax Rolls.

Peter died intestate. Thomas Helms was an administrator until his death
in 1848. The court records have several references to Peter's estate beginning
with the deed from Peter H. and Emily O. Anderson and James H. Anderson
which sold their rights to the estate of "Peter Helms, Esq." to John Helms
for $1000.(50) The Andersons also relinquished
their right to the estate's real and personal property to the infant children
of Thomas Helms.(51) No heirs of Andrew were mentioned
in these records and it is assumed that his line has died out by this time.

Josiah Anderson purchased an undivided interest in the estate
lands of Peter Helms from John Helms,(52) and paid
Thomas Helms $500 for the choice of the division of those lands.(53)

(52) Montgomery County, KY DB 21, p. 495-6.(53) Montgomery County, KY DB 21, p. 238.
Josiah Anderson sold this parcel of land in February 1850 to William T.
Chenault. The exact price cannot be determined, since two parcels
were in the deed. One containing 98 acres and 4 poles, conveyed by
Thomas Helms to Josiah. The other adjoining this tract containing
70 acres and 4 poles. Total price was $8000. Implied is another
sale of land from Thomas Helms to William T. Chenault. Montgomery
County, KY DB 23, p. 402-3. Recorded 20 May 1850.

Lewis D. Wilson, administrator of the Peter
Helms estate in 1849 (after the death of Thomas Helms), recorded a final
settlement of $59.08.(54) One final item is most
curious - in Thomas Helms' estate administration there is an input listing
" To Cash Collected of Peter Helms of Virginia: $100.00".(55)
Does this imply some connections, still, with Virginia, the home of Peter's
ancestors? And might it be a clue to his true parentage?

(54) Montgomery County, KY Record Book B, p. 101.(55) Montgomery County, KY Record Book B, p. 99-100.

RESEARCH & CONCLUSIONS:

Date

Item

Source

1767

Birth, probably in Franklin County, VA area. Family records from a
lost Bible gave death date and PETER'S age as 77 years.

PETER HELM was witness to deed from Christian Sears to JOHN
HELM in Rowan County, NC PETER HELMS wrote his own name.

(DB 13, p. 736-7)

1794

PETER HELM was witness to deed from Elijah Merrell (Merrill?)
to JOHN HELM on "PETER HELMS corner". Rowan County, NC

(DB 13, p. 790-1)

1794

PETER HELM was witness to deed from Elijah Merrell to John Bradburn
in Rowan County, NC

(DB 13, p. 803-4)

1794

PETER HELM purchased 100 acres of land from Elijah Merrell,
part of a tract of a 640 acre grant. On the waters of Hury(?) on both sides
of Garren Creek and adjacent to JOHN HELMS and Daniel Brown. Price
was £20. Rowan County, NC Witnessed by JOHN (X) HELMS & Daniel
(X) Brown.

(DB 13, p. 804-5)

1795

PETER HELM sold 100 acres of land to John Embler on Croatland
(?) Run of Calswan(?) for a price of £20. Witnessed by Abraham
(X) Frisby & Will Embler. Rowan County, NC

(DB 14, p. 86-7)

1795

PETER HELM sold 100 acres of land to William Wright on the waters
of Mary (?) on both sides of Garrins Creek, part of 640 acre grant to Elijah
Merrell, on a conditional line between PETER HELMS & JOHN HELMS.
Price was £100. Rowan County, NC Witnessed by A. Parr & Solomon
T. Goodman

(DB 14, p. 644-5)

1797

PETAR HELM first appeared on the Tax List for Montgomery County,
KY. He owned no land, but had three horses. 1797 was the first
tax roll for the new county of Montgomery.

(Tax Lists, 1797,
Bk 1, p. 21)

1800

PETER HELM was taxed on 128 acres of land on Slate Creek (Jacob
Myers entry or patent). No deed for this transaction. Grantee Index
for DB 1, p.56 refers to this deed.

Census record for PEATER HELMS: 3 males under 10 years of age
(ANDREW, THOMAS and ?), 1 male 10-16 years (JOHN), 1 male 25-46 years (PETER),
1 female 10-16 years (GIRL), 1 female 25-46 years (LEAH) and 5 slaves.

(Montgomery County, KY
Census, p. 364)

1813

PETER HELMS bought from Martin Quay and his wife185
acres on main Slate Creek for $400. Part of 5000 acres granted to Jacob
Myers, known as Morgan Station Tract. Adjacent to John Bartons' 1000 acres,
Montgomery County, KY Witnessed by no one.

(DB 6, p. 389-90)

1817

PETER HELMS bought from Joseph & Elizabeth Young 200 acres
on Spencer Creek for $4000. Adjacent to Nicholas Anderson, Robert Botts
in Montgomery County, KY No witnesses.

PETER HELMS bought from Samuel & Annis Hadden 100 acres
on Anderson's fork of Small Mountain Creek for $2000,adjacent to James
Bradshaw's line in Montgomery County, KY

(DB 9, p. 359)

1820

PETER HELMS bought from Henry Farain (?) interest in 60 acres,
part of Jacob Myers' 5000 acres, Morgan Station Tract, on waters of Slate
Creek for $120. Interest found in deed to P. Farain from David Trimble,
George Peterson & Joseph McMurtery. Tract adjacent to Henry Livingston's
110 acres, by another of HELMS' lines, by 10 acre survey for HELMS.
Another tract is included.

Montgomery County, KY
(DB 9, p. 397-8)

1820

PETER HELMS sold to Isaac Evans 10 acres on Slate Creek for
$30. Wife did release her dower, but was not named.

PETER HELMS, Sheriff, and ANDREW HELMS, B.F. Thomas, Jacob C.
Butler, Aquilla Young, Edward Stockton and Joseph Nelson, Deputies, were
bonded in the sum of $10,000 to collect taxes and duties of Montgomery
County, KY also all penalties which shall be authorized

(DB 13, p. 162)

1827

Same as above, bonded for $4000 to collect county dues for Montgomery
County, KY

Montgomery County, KY
(DB 13, p. 163)

1827

PETER HELMS, Sheriff, and ANDREW HELMS, JOHN HELMS, Edward Stockton,
Jesse Daniel, Aquilla Young, JOHN HALLY, Thomas Connelly, Thomas Petitt,
B.F. Thomas, James Means, John Tipton and G.W. Thomas, deputies were bonded
for the sum of $4000 to collect Montgomery County, KY dues as levied at
the last court of claims.

(DB 13, p. 252)

1828

List of male members of Old Spencer Creek Church for 1828 includes
the notation "PETER HELMS - excluded Nov. 1841". This seems to indicate
that PETER joined in 1828 and then stopped in 1841.

(MSS: Abstract from
Original Session Book
of Old Spencer Creek
Church 1825, Mt.
Sterling, KY Public
Library, Genealogy
Room)

PETER HELMS and wife LEAH sold to George Black 100 acres
on waters of Lulbegrand(?) & Hinkston being part of Edward Williams'
preemption of 400 acres for $1850. Land formerly owned by Edward William
and sold to ANDREW HELMS, adjacent to Nicholas Anderson. Dated 5 September
1831.

Montgomery County, KY
(DB 15, p. 376-7)

1831

PETER HELMS bought from ANDREW HELMS 100 acres on the Lul---
& Hinkston, as described above, for $10 per acre. Witnessed by Robert
Dickey, JOHN HELMS and THOMAS HELMS. Dated 2 February 1831. but produced
in court on 5 September 1831. Proven by the witnesses.

Montgomery County, KY
(DB 15, p. 436-7)

1835

PETER HELMS and wife LEAH sold to JOHN HELMS, 100 acres
on Anderson's Fork of Small Mountain Creek for $1. Land adjacent to James
Bratshaws line.

Montgomery County, KY
(DB 17, p. 125-6)

1838

PETER HELMS and wife LEAH sold to George Black, a strip
of land thirty feet wide, running along HELMS' line for $115. Land was
on Spencer's Creek. Witnessed by James Howard.

Montgomery County, KY
(DB 18, p. 220-1)

pre 1839

ANDREW HELMS and his wife died prior to 1839 when their daughter,
LEAH,
was married in Lexington, KY.

PETER HELMS doesn't pay Montgomery County, KY taxes for the
first time since 1797. His land is merged with that of his son THOMAS HELMS.

(1840 Tax List, p.13)

1841

PETER HELMS reappears on the Montgomery County, KY tax list.

(1841 Tax List, p. 12)

1844

PETER HELMS died 18 April 1844 according to a copy of a lost
family Bible.

(AHM)

1844

Dated 25 May 1844, PETER H. and wife EMILY O. ANDERSON and JAMES H.
ANDERSON, of Montgomery County, KY, relinquish their interest in a tract
of land which PETER HELMS, ESQ resided on at the time of his death
to JOHN HELMS for $1000. Tract contained 200 acres, more or less, on the
headwaters of Spencer's Creek.

(DB 21, p. 145)

1844

Dated 27 May 1844, PETER H. and wife EMILY O. ANDERSON and JAMES H.
ANDERSON, of Montgomery County, KY, relinquish their interest in the estate
of PETER HELMS, Deceased, both real and personal, according to the
expressed wishes of said PETER HELMS, for $1 and other "good and
valuable considerations". This interest was relinquished to LEAH, CAROLINE,
THOMAS, NANCY, ANDREW and URIAH HELMS, infant children of THOMAS HELMS.

(DB 21, p. 149)

1849

Settlement with Josiah Anderson, administrator for the estate of THOMAS
HELMS, deceased, an item of credit "to cash collected of PETER HELMS
of Virginia".

Montgomery County, KY
(Record Book B,
p. 99-100)

1849

L.D. Wilson, administrator for PETER HELMS deceased produced
a settlement in the court of Montgomery County, KY, as THOMAS HELMS, one
of the heirs & distributors of said estate was also deceased. These
were debts owed to the estate.

Little is known for certain about Peter & Leah's daughter. These
are the data that have been collected so far.

The daughter did exist because two children, Peter Helms and James H.
(Helms?) Anderson relinquished their rights and undivided interest to Peter
Helms' estate to John Helms for $1000 in 1844(56) and
to the children of Thomas Helms at the same time.(57)
Peter H. Anderson and his wife Emily O. signed both deeds. Research shows
one Peter Anderson married Emily O. Nelson prior to 1852 and secondly Peter
Helms
Anderson married Mrs. Mary Carpenter in 1861.(58)
Peter Helms Anderson was buried in Machpelah Cemetery, Mt. Sterling, KY.(59)

From these facts it can be concluded that there was indeed a daughter
"Helms" who married an Anderson boy and that they had two children, one,
Peter, whose middle name was Helms, as inscribed on his tombstone and a
second, James, whose middle initial was H. This may stand for Helms,
but there is no proof.

The daughter Helms' birth date was derived from the 1810 census listing
of Peter Helms' household: one female between 10-16. Her birth would have
been between 1794 and 1800. Since John Helms was born in 1799, the girl,
most likely, was born between 1794-1797 and was the eldest live child of
the 1792 marriage of Peter and Leah. Following this line of reasoning,
her birth was also placed in the North Carolina area, rather than in Kentucky.

The marriage of "daughter" Helms and Mr. Anderson would have taken place
prior to 1819 when Peter Helms Anderson was born, according to his tombstone,(60)
thus the c. 1818 date. This marriage date is compatible with the Helms
girl being born 1794-1797. James H. Anderson first appears on the Montgomery
County tax rolls in 1845(61) as the possessor of
one gold watch and as a male of 21, therefore he could have been born in
1824, again a date compatible with the marriage date of his parents. Possession
of a "gold watch" leads to speculation: Who gave him the watch? Grandfather
Helms, Grandfather Anderson or his father?

(60) Ibid(61) Montgomery County, KY, Tax Rolls 1845, p.
1.

Determining Mr. Anderson's first name is a problem. There may be two
possibilities for the name. Checking the names of the children of Peter
H. Anderson on the 1850 census: Mary A., Joseph M., William, James and
Leah are found. Joseph is the name of Emily O. Nelson's father. Leah is
the name of Peter's grandmother and also of several nieces. Naming the
children for grandparents was still popular in the early 1800s, therefore
both "William" or "James" are possible names of the Anderson boy's father.
Neither William nor James Anderson had a will probated in Montgomery County,
KY before 1850.(62) An investigation needs to be
made of the Bath County Andersons.

(62) A discussion of possible parents can be made from
the 1820 Census report for Montgomery County, KY. Looking only at
James & William Andersons who had a boy under 10, there are three possibilities: p. 237 James Anderson: 1 boy
under 10, 1 male over 45, 1 girl under 10, 1 girl 10-16, 1 woman 16-26,
1 woman 45+ p. 237 William Anderson: 2 boys
under 10, 1 male 26-45, 1 girl under 10, 1 woman 26-45 p. 281 William Anderson: 1 boy
under 10, 1 male 26-45, 2 girls under 10, 1 woman 26-45Obviously, there is no conclusion from the census records.
Some Anderson family researcher may have the answer. Additional checks
should be made on deeds bearing the Anderson name during this time period.
The two Anderson deeds concerning Peter Helms were made with Abihu in 1820
and Josiah in 1846. Abihu was over 45 in 1820 and Josiah was 28 in
1850. Neither seem promising.

One further lead rests in the 1830 census. Peter Helms had two boys
listed in his household--1 under 5 and 1 10-16 year old. These would fit
the ages of Peter and James Anderson, who could have been living
with their grandparents because their parents had died. Again this is speculation
and would require definite proof.

Peter Helms' original home was sold to Josiah Anderson in 1844 and Josiah
acted as administrator for the estate of Thomas Helms: what is his connection
with the Helms family? In Kentucky Biography Sketches, V 6, Josiah is listed
as the 4th of 9 children of John Anderson and Mary Ramey Anderson.

John Helms was born 19 May 1799, presumably in Montgomery County, KY
and married Larue Caldwell, 25 June 1821 in Bath County, KY.(67)
She was born 12 December 1800 in Bath County and was the daughter of Walter
Caldwell (1777-1842) and Mary Breckenridge Caldwell (17? -1846).

Mary Breckenridge was the daughter of Robert and Mary Doak Breckenridge
of Montgomery County, VA and Bath County, KY. Walter may have been the
son of John Caldwell.(68) The Walter Caldwells
left Bath Co about 1827 and settled in New London, Ralls County, MO, where
he was a major of the Militia and County Judge for a number of years.(69)

In Montgomery County John paid taxes every year from 1820 thru 1835,
except 1821.(70) That was the year he married LaRue
in Bath County, so perhaps he was living in that county. They were back
in Montgomery County by 1822 and apparently were using 100 acres of Peter
Helms' land to farm and pay taxes on.(71) In 1827
John was a deputy for his father the Sheriff. Then in 1829 John purchased
100 acres of land from a court ordered sale.(72) This
land was sold immediately to the Durees who lived there.(73)
Peter sold John the 100 acres that he farmed in 1835 for $1.(74)
This was just before John and LaRue moved and was probably a part of John's
inheritance, since the acreage was promptly sold for $25 per acre.(75)

John and LaRue left Montgomery County, KY some time after 1835 and removed
to Missouri, first to Lewis County(76) and then
to Ralls County in 1836. There he purchased 189 acres in Section 24, Township
56 from James M. and Eliza B. Parks for $700.(77)
Additional purchases were made in Ralls in 1841: $50 for 30 acres in the
same area,(78) a quarter section plus 15 acres
for $800(79) and in 1851, 42 acres for $210 in
Section 14 from the heirs of Asa Carrico.(80)

John was a southerner and as such owned 5 slaves on both the 1850 and
1860 census.(81) His son Peter Caldwell Helms had
2 slaves in 1850 and 6 in 1860.(82) Missouri was
a border state and the Ralls County area was known as Little Dixie" since
many of the settlers were from Kentucky and the south. This area suffered
much bitterness between the two opposing points of view during the war.
Missouri, indeed, had families split since the state supplied units to
both the Union and Confederate armies. Uriah Helms, John's nephew, fought
with a Missouri Confederate force while Walter C., his son, saw action
with the 597th Regiment of the Union Army.

(81) Howard, Goldena Rowland. Ralls County,
p. 65.(82) Ibid.

The Reconstruction was particularly hard on the residents who had sympathized
with the Southern cause. In fact there were few states that had as harsh
laws following the war as Missouri. Over one-third of the pre-war voters
were disenfranchised following the "Iron-Clad Oath" written into the 1865
state Constitution.(83) John R. Helms was denied
his vote in 1867 by being enrolled disloyal.(84)
No mention was made about his father, John's vote.

(83) Howard. p. 119 "No person could vote,
hold public office, teach in any public or private school, practice law,
preach the Gospel, solemnize a marriage or perform other ordinances if
they had ever engaged in hostilities against the United States government,
given aid, comfort, countenance or support to persons engaged in such hostilities
or give money, goods, letters or other information to enemies of the United
States or by act or word manifested adherence to the cause of such enemies
or sympathy with those engaged in carrying on the rebellion; or had ever
been in anywise(sic) connected with any society unfriendly to the government;
or had ever knowingly harbored, aided or countenanced any person engaged
in guerilla warfare, or had ever done any act to prevent being enrolled
in the military services of the Union or State of Missouri."(84) Ibid. p. 120

John and LaRue were listed as members of the New London Baptist Church
but other Helmses were active in the Mt. Sterling Cumberland Presbyterian
and Baptist Church of Jesus Christ at Bethel, MO. Again, John R. was "excluded"
from the latter between 1840-1867. This congregation had almost one-half
negro members and included several Helms' blacks.(85)

(85) Ibid, pp. 165,175,178.

By 1858 John and LaRue had planned their estate. They enacted a series
of deeds selling their land to the children, but retaining "sole use, possession,
occupancy and control of the premises" during their natural life.(86)
Earlier, in 1850, they had sold 185 acres to Peter C. after his marriage
to his cousin, Leah.(87) In later life, John and
LaRue, lived on the northern property which they had sold to their grand-daughter,
Elizabeth Briscoe.

Just what occurred: whether old age or some other cause, Peter C. and
John R. Helms had the unpleasant task of asking the Probate Court to declare
their father John a "person of unsound mind and incapable of managing his
affairs" on the 16 of June 1870.(88) John R. was
appointed his guardian.(89)

(88) Ralls County, MO. Probate Will Boxes #515
& 591 containing the original documents and papers pertaining to John
Helms. Personally viewed and copied in November 1981, in New London,
MO.(89) Ibid.

John Helms died testate soon after on 12 October 1870. Luckily, his
will had been written 16 August 1841 and was proved and recorded 15 November
1870.(90) His will provided for LaRue and all his
children to have equal shares with the express understanding that his female
heirs and not their husbands would control their legacy.(91)
LaRue and John R. were administrators for John's estate(92)
and oath was taken that Peter C. and John R., sons of John, Elizabeth R.
Briscoe, granddaughter, and LaRue Helms, widow all of Ralls County, Micka(sic)
Cox, dau. in Montgomery County, MO and Walter C. Helms, son in Lewis County,
MO were his surviving heirs.(93)

LaRue released all her right title & interest to her deceased son
Andrew's estate in Lewis County and to her life estate (John's lands) in
Ralls County to her children and grand-daughter on 11 June, 1871. They,
in turn gave her all their interest to the money, bonds and notes and personal
property of John Helms.(94)

(94) Probate boxes #515 & 591. An attorney
fee for these transactions was found in the boxes:

Insanity case...............

$5.00

Guardian settlement...

$5.00

Appraisal of estate......

$2.50

Interest..........

$1.50

Entering 6 deeds between parties.....

$10.00

$23.75

LaRue continued to live on at the family homestead. Her grand-daughter,
Elizabeth Briscoe, and her husband, who had received the largest acreage
share in the 1858 division, adjoined and worked that land. Bills from LaRue's
doctor indicate that in May of 1879 she was living with the Briscoes when
she suffered her last illness.(95) Her will was
written 31 December 1877 and probated 16 July 1879. All her children and
Elizabeth Briscoe had equal shares after certain bequests. The personal
property was appraised at $17.58, but a paper to Walter C. indicates that
the sum of $100 cash was his full share of her estate.(96)

(95)Ralls County, MO Probate box #545 for Larue
Helms. Personally viewed and copied in November 1981, New London,
Ralls County, MO.(96) Ibid.

RESEARCH

DATE

ITEM

LOCATION

1799

JOHN HELMS born in Montgomery County, KY.
.

.

1820

JOHN HELMS on Montgomery County, KY tax records for first time.
Had 2 slaves and no acreage: total value $98.

.

1827

JOHN HELMS bonded as a deputy of Sheriff Peter Helms in Montgomery
County KY

(db 13, p. 252)

1829

JOHN HELMS buys 100 acres of land for $81 from the estate of
John Henderson and John Smith in a court ordered sale.

Montgomery County, KY
(DB 14, p. )

1829

JOHN HELMS and LARUE sell to Samuel B. Duree a tract
of 100 acres for $81 on the Lullagrid & Spencer Ck.

Montgomery County, KY
(DB 14, p. 382-3)

1830

JOHN HELMS paid taxes on 100 acres of land, held 4 slaves, 3
horses and 15 cows: total value $2150.

.

1835

JOHN HELMS bought 100 acres of land on the Anderson Fork of
Small Mountain Creek from his father PETER for $1.

Montgomery County, KY
(DB 17, p. 125-6)

1835

JOHN HELMS and his wife LARUE sold 100 acres of land
on Anderson Fork of Small Mountain Creek to Samuel D. Everet for $25 per
acre.

Montgomery County KY
(DB 17, p. 126-7)

PRE
1840

JOHN HELMS owned a piece of land in Lewis County, MO. Tsp. 60,
range 8, section 10.

JOHN HELMS bought undivided interest in the real & personal
estate of PETER HELMS, Deceased from Peter H., Emily O. (wife) and James
H..Anderson for $1000.

Montgomery County, KY
(DB 21, p. 145)

1846

JOHN HELMS and LARUE sold part of undivided home and
lands of PETER HELMS to Josiah Anderson for $3000.

Montgomery County, KY
(DB 21, p. 495)

1850

JOHN HELMS sold to his son Peter C. Helmes in Ralls MO, two
tracts of land, one a quarter section and the other 15 acres for $800.
Both pieces in S 34, Tsp 56, R 5.

(DB G, p. 519-20)

1851

JOHN HELMS bought 42 acres of land from the Carrico estate for
$210. S 14, Tsp 55, R 5.

Ralls County, MO
(DB H, p. 90-1)

1858

JOHN HELMS and LARUE sold granddaughter ELIZABETH BRISCOE
tracts of land two half-quarter sections plus a 15 acre tract, total 175
acres for $1250. Acreage was available after their deaths. S 34 & 27,Tsp
56, R 5.

Ralls County, MO
(DB N, p. 151-2)

1858

JOHN HELMS and LARUE sold daughter MEICKEY COX 80 acres
of land where John and Larue ow live. They will live there during their
natural lives, and M. Cox will get the property after their deaths. Sold
for $1200. S 23, Tsp 55, R 5

Ralls County, MO
(DB N, p. 153)

1858

JOHN HELMES and LARUE sold two parcels of land, 80 and
42 acres to son JOHN ROBERT HELMES for $800 S 14, Tsp 55, R 5.

Ralls County, MO
(DB N, p. 154)

1870

PETER C. & JOHN R. HELMES petitioned Ralls County, MO court to
declare
JOHN HELMS
to be "of unsound mind and incapable of managing
his affairs".

(Loose papers in
Will Box 515,
New London, MO)

1870

JOHN HELMS died testate on 12 October 1870 at the age of 71.

(Will Box 515, New London, MO)

WILL OF JOHN HELMS

In the name of God, Amen. I, JOHN HELMS, of the County of Ralls
in the State of Missouri, being in health and of sound mind and disposing
memory and knowing the uncertainty of this life, being anxious to dispose
of my estate real and personal, wherewith it hath pleased the Almighty
God to bless me, Do hereby make and publish this as my last Will and Testament,
as follows to wit:

FIRST: It is my special will and order that all my just debts
and demands against me be fully paid out of my estate previous to any distribution
thereof among my heirs

SECOND: I will and bequeath to my wife LARUE HELMS during her
lifetime, an equal portion or share of my estate, with my children, as
it is my intention to divide my estate equally among my heirs in the manner
hereinafter mentioned and my wife is to have a share equal to a child's
part during her lifetime.

THIRD: I will and bequeath to my children and heirs an equal portion
and share of my estate, after the payment of my debts, to them and their
heirs forever, after my decease. Provided, however, and I wish it to be
expressly understood, that the portion of my estate real and personal hereby
bequeathed to my female heirs or children, is intended for my said female
heirs and their bodily heirs or offspring, so that their husbands or other
of them, shall not have, hold or possess the same in any manner whatever,
to sell, hire, lease or in any other manner to have the control or management
of the same, nor the profits, increase, rents or income arising therefrom,
nor shall the same or any part thereof, be in anywise made or become responsible
for or subject to the payment of any of the debts or contracts of the husband
or husbands of my said female heirs or children.

FOURTH: It is further my will and order, that after the death
of my said wife LARUE HELMS, the portion of my estate hereby bequeathed
to here then remaining on hand shall be equally divided between my heirs
in the same manner and under the like provision as above stated.

And LASTLY: I hereby revoke all the former wills by me made or
codicils thereto and declare and publish this as my only last will and
testament. Witness my hand and seal this 16th day of August A.D. 1841.
The word "not" between "shall" and "have" in the 32nd line of this will
was interlined before the execution hereof

JOHN HELMS seal

Signed & acknowledged in our presence by JOHN HELMS to be his
last Will & Testament, who have signed our names hereto as
witnesses thereof in his presence.
John Ralls
William S. Lofland

WILL OF LARUE CALDWELL HELMS

I, LARUE HELLEM (sic) of the County of Ralls and State of Missouri
do hereby dictate the following to be my last Will and Testament:

FIRST: I direct that all my just debts & liabilities be paid
out of my estate including my funeral expenses and the costs of the Administration
of my estate, also including the costs of tombstones at my grave.

THIRD: I will and bequeath to MICEY COSC(sic) my Clock & Family
Bible also my small table

FOURTH: I will and bequeath to WALTER C. HELLEMS one double coverlet.

FIFTH: I will & bequeath to JOHN R. HELLEMS my carpet sack

SIXTH: I will & bequeath that all of my wearing apparel, books
& all articles of household furniture not hereafore assigned of to
be equally divided between MICEY COX & ELIZABETH R. BRISCOE

SEVENTH: I will & bequeath to PETER C. HELLEMS, JOHN R. HELLEMS,
WALTER C. HELLEMS, MICEY COSE & ELIZABETH R. BRISCOE the remainder
of my estate to each on an equal share thereof.

EIGHTH: I hereby nominate & appoint ROBERT B. CALDWELL Sr.
to be the Executor of this my last will & testament and I hereby revoke
& annul all former wills or codicils made by me at any other time and
declare this to be my last will & testament whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed by seal this 31st day of December 1877.
her
LARUE (X) HELMS
mark

We attest the above & foregoing will of LARUE HELLEMS by subscribing
our names hereto as witness thereof in the presents of the testatrix LARUE
HELLEMS and at her request and in the presents of each other and that she
signed the same

C.F. Kirtley A.J. Green

FAMILY BIBLE ORIGINALLY OWNED BY PETER HELLEMSpresent owner, his son, JOHN L. HELMS

Published by H & E Finney, Cooperstown, N.Y., 1831
Copied by Vivian Bostwick, exactly as written

Marriages:Robert S.W. Fike was married to McKey C. Hellems on the third day of
Sept. A.D. 1846
Peter Helmes was married to Leah Helmes on the 11 day of Aprile A.D.
1847

Births:Andrew Helms was born the sixteenth day of March 1833
Walter C. Helmes was born the sixth day of April 1835
Robert B.C. Helmes was born 22 day of May 1837

Sheet inset:John Hellems was married to LaRue Caldwell on the 28th day of June
1821
Mary Hellems was married to John Bolin on the 11 of Feb, 1841
Mekey Hellems married to Robert T.W. Fike on the third of Sept. 1846
Peter Hellems was married to Leah Hellems on the 11th day of April
1847
Larue C. Helmes was born Dec. the 16 1855
Walter C. Helmes was married to Nancy Helmes on the 21st day of Dec
A.D. 1854
Mariam Lucretia Helmes was born Dec 17, 1879
John Hellems was born May 19, 1799
Larue Hellems was born Dec 12th 1800
Mary Hellems was born July 10, 1822
Elizabeth Hellems was born Jan 22, 1824
Peter Hellems was born February 3rd 1826
Mekey C. Hellems was born June 11th 1830
Andrew Hellems was born March 16 1833
Walter C. Hellems was born April 6, 1835
John R. Hellems was born May 22, 1837
Sandi I Hellems was born Sept 22, 1841
Elizabeth Boling was born Feb. 11th 1842
John Boling was born Nov. 10, 1818
Nelson Petey Fike was born Sept. the 28 1849
Ausey H. Fike was born March the 28 1849
Edward S. Helmes was born Jan the 8 1849
Charles T. Helms was born Dec the 15 1851
Mary E.I. Helms was born Sept 20, 1853
Caroline F. Helms was born Nov the 14 1855
Margaret Ann Clayton, Daughter of Charles F. and Ann Elizabeth Clayton
was born
June 2nd A.D. 1849
Elizabeth Leah Helms was born Dec the 13th 1873

Deaths:Elizabeth Helmes died Oct 14, 1842 aged 18 years
Sandi I Helmes died Oct 12th 1843
John Boling died Oct 2, a.d. 1842 aged 24 years
Robert S.W. Fike died Sept the 27th A.D. 1850
Ann Elizabeth Clayton died Aug 28, 1849 aged 2 months
Mary Breckinridge Caldwell died Sept the 28th 1846
Walter Caldwell Died May the 17th 1842 aged 64 years 4 months and five
days
Andrew Helms died Feb the 7th 1861
John Helms died Oct the 12, 1870
Larue Helms died May the 25 1879

Age of the Negros:Henry was born June the 10th A.D. 1836
Solomon was born Feb the 26 1836
Lida was born Feb the 12th 1838
Louis was born July the 6th 1854
Sarah A. bornd April the 25th 1857

QUESTIONS:

1. Who was Robert B.C. Helmes b. 22 May 1837? This was the same
day the John R. Hellems was born -- noted on the extra sheet. Were they
twins or was there a name change after the first Bible entry?

Family group sheets of the ensuing generations of JOHN HELMS' line are
available, if desired. More documentary proof is also available. Ms. Bostwick
is a very exacting researcher.

Andrew Helms, second surviving son of Leah Shoults and Peter Helms,
was born c. 1801 in Montgomery County, KY. The 1821 and 1822 tax lists
for Montgomery County list only one male over 21 in the Peter Helms household,
Peter himself. Andrew married in 1821 without parental consent, implying
that he was 21 years of age. Yet his tax record in 1822 stated there were
no males over 21 in his household. Either there was a mistake on the tax
record or the marriage permission has been lost. He was married to Malinda
Wyatt by "Racoon" Smith in May of 1821.(97) She
was the daughter of Francis Wyatt, another Montgomery County farmer.(98)

(97) Audery, Kentucky Records, Vol I, p. 81.(98) Ibid.

Andrew appeared regularly on the tax rolls from 1822 til 1830, but he
was only listed as a land owner in 1830 with 200 acres on Hinkston
Creek.(99) He had purchased
100 acres from
the Albert Duree heirs on Lullegand and Hinkston Creek for $11 per acre.(100)
By February 1831 Andrew sold this tract to his father Peter for $10 per
acre.(101) Andrew is styled "of Montgomery County" in
the deed and his wife Malinda did not resign her dower rights. This leads
to the suspicion that she had died by this time. Peter may have purchased
the land in order to give Andrew some of his inheritance prior to the son's
leaving the county. In any case, Andrew dropped off the Montgomery County
tax rolls in 1831 and does not re-appear. He has either moved or died.

Like his brother John, Andrew served as deputy sheriff in Montgomery
County for several years while his father was sheriff.(102)

(102) Montgomery County, KY, DB 12, pp. 162, 252.

Andrew and Malinda had at least one daughter, possibly two. In the 1830
Census Andrew was not listed as a "head of household" in Montgomery County,
but he was there paying taxes and one year later, selling land. Peter Helms'
listing included one man 20-30 and two girls under 10.(103)
It is possible that Andrew's wife had died and he was living with his parents?(104)

(103) 1830 Census, Montgomery County, KY, p. 28.(104) Further analysis of this census: Both JOHN
and THOMAS were listed as "Heads of Household", therefore it would seem
that the male 20-30 was ANDREW. No other male children of Peter are
known.

Leah Helms is the only known surviving child of Malinda and Andrew
Helms. The Lexington paper carried an announcement of her marriage to Jacob
A. Ingram on 30 May 1839.(105) The article said that
Andrew Helm was deceased, thus placing his death prior to that 1839 date.
A copy of the Thompson Bible said that Leah had died 18 December 1839...shortly
after her marriage.(106)

No provision or interests for the heirs of Andrew were charged
in the settlement of the estate of Peter Helms, as in the case of the Anderson
children. Thus it seems that Leah and his other daughter(?) had died. Jacob
A. Ingram was listed on the 1850 census in Bath County, KY with two boys,
J.A. Ingram, aged 7 and J.W. Ingram aged 5. Neither could be Leah's child.
The Ingrams were living in the household of one Elizabeth Ralls aged 80.(107)

Thomas Helms was the third known son of Peter and Leah Shoults Helms
and my great-great grandfather. He choose a Virginia girl, Mary "Polly"
Hawley, for his first wife and they were married by Elder John "Racoon"
Smith,(108) a Campbell dissenter in the Baptist faith.
Polly was the daughter of John Hawley/Holley and Nancy Douglass who had
come to Montgomery County about 1812 from Bedford County, VA.(109)
Her grandfather, John Hawley, survived the Battle of Monongalia (Braddock's
Defeat) and captivity by the Shawnee Indians with Daniel Boone's saltmakers.(110)

Thomas purchased 249 acres on Brush Creek(111) and
7/8 of an adjacent 12 acres(112) from Westley Hensley
and his wife for $1501. This seems to be a rather large amount of money
and we can only speculate how Thomas was able to pay such a price..did
his father Peter lend him the money or did his father-in-law, John Hawley,
settle this amount with the newlyweds?(113) The
tax rolls validate this land purchase and also show Thomas' growing prosperity.(114)
He owned as many as 14 horses, 40 cows and 5 slaves during the years 1820
to 1840.

(111) Montgomery County, KY DB 14, 290-291.(112) Ibid, p. 291-2.(113) In John Hawley's will, Montgomery County WB E,
p. 101-2, 2 August 1845, he states "I give the children of my daughter
Polly Helms, deceased, one dollar each for the love and esteem I have for
them. I having given her what I think an equal share of my estate
before" His personal estate was $3552, plus land. From these
data, it seems likely that the Thomas Helms family may have received some
of the estate (money) earlier.(114) Montgomery County, KY Tax Rolls 1829-1840.

Polly Hawley Helms died in 1840 leaving Thomas with 6 young children.
Thomas and his father Peter must have joined households that year since
they were both widowers. The tax records and 1840 census support such a
move.(115)

Six Children between the ages of 2 and 11 plus a large farm to work
were very pressing reasons for THOMAS to remarry quickly. In 1841 he married
Amanda Mitchell Ricketts,(116) daughter of Thomas and
Polly Mitchell Ricketts, but not in Racoon Smith's church.(117)
Again, in the 1841 tax rolls, he appeared in his own household.

(116) Boyd, Hazel Mason. Op Cite. p. 49.(117) 1841 was the year that Peter Helms was "excluded"
from the Old Spencer Creek Church, so there may have been some sort of
disagreement.

The settlement of Peter's estate in 1844 fell mostly on Thomas, since
he was the only Helms child still in Montgomery County. Some of the actions
may not have been exactly "by the book"(118) but
everyone seemed to get their fair share and Peter's rich land was sold
to Josiah Anderson by 1846.(119)

(118) Montgomery County, KY Court Record Book B, p. 101.
This is an attempt of S.D. Wilson, administrator of Peter Helms' estate
after the death of Thomas, to explain why he never made out an inventory
etc. The estate monies in his hands came to $58.80 which reflected
a note Thomas has collected without entering it into the estate.(119) Montgomery County, KY, DB 21, p. 495.

Thomas died intestate in 1847 at the age of 42 leaving 6 orphans from
his first marriage and 1, John Peter Mitchell Helms from his second. Various
Hawley aunts and uncles took Polly's children and Amanda went home.(120)
Leah and Caroline were in Ralls County, MO. Leah had married Peter C. Helms,
her cousin, and Caroline was living with them. Nancy and Andrew were living
with their uncle Uriah Holley, Thomas J. Helms was living with James F.
Jones, a Holley uncle by marriage, and Uriah Helms was living with his
uncle, John Holley. John Peter was living with his grandparents, Thomas
and Mary Ricketts, all in Montgomery County.

No records remain concerning Amanda's dower rights, nor the portion
of the estate for John Peter. It is unlikely that they were not provided
for in some way, since there are many records of the guardian accounts
for the older children. From these records(121) Thomas'
account seemed sizable enough. His personal estate was inventoried at $962,
excluding a Negro Girl, Smithy. There was a considerable amount of livestock:
2 oxen, 12 cows, 43 head of sheep, 16 geese, 38 head of hogs and 2 horses.(122)
In addition to farm equipment he seemed to have a well stocked kitchen
and some rather good furniture with some luxuries as books, linens, towels
and silver tea spoons. The sale of these properties netted $1032.25 (excluding
slave?).(123) Various notes totaled another $800
and the slave was valued at $450.(124) Thomas would
have had his own piece of land on Brush Creek plus his children's share
of Peter Helms' land. Thomas' land was carried on the tax rolls as "Josiah
Anderson, estate of T.Helms dec'd" for 1848, 1849 and 1850 and the estate
including one slave was valued at about $6800.(125)

(121) Montgomery County, KY. Thomas Helms Inventory:
County Record Book A, p. 396-400. Other Estate settlements:
County Record Book B, pp. 93, 99-101, 292, 317, 353-4,and 387-9. (122) Montgomery County, KY Court Record Book A,
p. 396-9. The sizable number of cows indicate how much of the land
had been cleared in order to graze them.(123) Montgomery County, KY Court Record Book A,
p. 396-9 and Book B, p. 99.(124) Montgomery County, KY Court Record Book A,
p. 399 and 400.(125) Montgomery County, KY Tax Rolls: 1848 p.
1, 1849 p. 1, and 1850 p. 1.

The guardians seemed to be conscientious and thrifty with their ward's
money. John Holley had to mortgage his Bay Mare, 2 horse wagons and yearling
and one black man to serve his guardianship in 1850.(126)
THOMAS' farm was rented out for 1-2 years and then apparently sold as per
a Circuit Court decree on 17 June 1850.(127) Another
source of income was a court decision in the case of Helms vs. W. Chinault
in which Mr. Chinault paid $116 into each child's account.(128)
B.J. Peters and Walter Chiles also received money for the Chinault accounts,
but no reason was given for the collection.(129)

(126) Montgomery County, KY DB 23, p. 469-70.(127) Montgomery County, KY Court Record Book b,
p. 387-9. Item: "To this amt received of W. Chiles, Commissioner,
who sold the land and negroes of the Estate of Thomas Helms, deceased under
a decree of the Montgomery Circuit Court, June 17th 1850....$224.00 (reflecting
a 1/7th share for Uriah Helms). Hopefully a farm valued at some $6800 in
1849 would bring more than $1500 at a Court sale. Unfortunately the
Montgomery Court records don't exist prior to 1863. A more careful
search of the Deed Books may produce a valid record. (AHM)(128) Montgomery County, KY Court Record Book B,
p. 353-4, 387.(129) Ibid.

The children from the first marriage had an account of around
$830 by January 1852.(130) From this the living
expenses of the orphans were deducted. It is interesting to think of "clothing,
tuition, etc" for 4 years equalling the sums of $17.57, $20.28, $13.87
and $16.96, as they did for Uriah Helms from the ages of 8 to 13.(131)
These figures give some perspective on the real value of the estate in
practical terms.

(130) Ibid. p. 387-9.(131) Ibid. p. 387.

One by one the Kentucky orphans moved to Missouri where they all set
up new lives for themselves. John Peter went to Missouri after 1860, but
his trail was lost.

RESEARCH:

Date

Item

Source

1808

THOMAS HELMS was born in Montgomery County, KY (Lost family
Bible record)

.

1828

THOMAS HELMS married MARY (POLLY) HAWLEY 6 November in
Montgomery County, KY (Marriage Book of Elder John "Racoon" Smith)

.

1829

THOMAS HELMS bought 249 acres on Brush Creek, part of 2500 patent
to William Haynie, now deceased, from Westley & Mary Ann Hansley for
$1500. Adjacent to George Barnett, Hansley, John and Robert Gilkey.

Montgomery County, KY
(DB 14, p. 290-1)

1829

THOMAS HELMS bought 7/8 part of 12 acres and 52 poles of land
on Brush Creek a branch of Slate Creek, part of 32-35 acre tract entered
by Edwan Payne & William Calk, from Westley & Mary Ann Hansley
for $1.00. Adjacent to original Wm. Haynie, William Yocum.

Montgomery County, KY
(DB 14, p. 291-2)

1829

THOMAS HELMS appeared on the Montgomery County, KY Tax rolls
for the first time. He had 259 acres in Brush Creek with 3 blacks and 3
horses Valuation: $2163.

THOMAS HELMS paid taxes on 287 acres of land on Brush Creek
in Montgomery County, KY. This would seem to reflect that he had purchased
an additional 20+ acres of land in 1833. 3 blacks, 10 horses and valuation
of $4330.

THOMAS HELMS married AMANDA RICKETTS in Montgomery County,
KY (Boyd, Montgomery County Marriages) and family data

.

1845

THOMAS HELMS sold to Joshia Anderson the choice of division
to the farm of PETER HELMS for $500. Anderson had purchased 1/2 the farm
from JOHN HELMS. This deed divided the original land that Peter had lived
on.

Montgomery County, KY
(DB 21, p. 238-9)

1846

THOMAS HELMS' CHILDREN received interest in the estate of Peter
HELMS from Peter H. and James H. ANDERSON, their cousins.

Montgomery County, KY
(DB 21, p. 144-5)

1847

THOMAS HELMS died intestate in Montgomery County, KY

.

1847

THOMAS HELMS' estate was inventoried by Wm. Baldwin, Robert
Thomas and William Cockrell. Valuation: $1413.98 Notes due to the estate
amounted to $798.75.

Montgomery County, KY
(Court Record Book A,
p. 396-400)

1849

THOMAS J. HELMS' guardian Wesley O'Rear gave receipt of funds
($116) that he received from --- Chinault.

Montgomery County, KY
(Court Record Book B,
p. 93)

1849

Josiah Anderson, Administrator of THOMAS HELMS, dec'd gave a
settlement of the estate. Income, after the sale: $1676.81 1/2. Bills were
presented and the estate was valued at $998.14.

Montgomery County, KY
(Court Record Book B,
p. 99-100)

1850

JOHN HOLLEY gave mortgage to URIAH HOLLEY for his share of the guardianship
bond for the heirs of THOMAS HELMS. (JOHN and URIAH are uncles of
the orphans)

Montgomery County, KY
(DB 23, p. 469-70)

1850

Census showed: NANCY & ANDREW HELMS lived with their uncle,
Uriah Holley; URIAH HELMS lived with his uncle, John Holley, Thomas
HELMS lived with his uncle, James F. Jones in Montgomery County, KY.
LeahHELMS lived with her husband and cousin Peter C. HELMS and CAROLINE
lived
with them in Ralls County, MO, John Peter Madison lived with his
grandparents, Thomas and Mary Ricketts in Montgomery County, KY.

James Franklin Jones, uncle and guardian of THOMAS J. HELMS,
filed an accounting of his guardianship.

Montgomery County, KY
(Court Record Book B,
p. 292-3)

1851

Peter C. Helm, husband of LEAH HELMS, daughter of THOMAS
HELMS, gave Power of Attorney to Uriah Holley to collect all money
due to LEAH from the sales of the Brush Creek land to JosiahAnderson
and two slaves.

Montgomery County, KY
(DB 24, p. 128)

1851

Josiah Anderson, administrator for the estate of THOMAS HELMS,
filed an accounting of said estate. $640 remained in Anderson's hands.

Montgomery County, KY
(Court Record Book B,
p. 317-8)

1851

Thornton (?) M. Cox, guardian of CAROLINE HELMS, requested an
audit of her accounts etc. $320.21 remained in Cox's hands.

Montgomery County, KY
(Court Record Book B,
p. 353-4)

1852

John Halley, guardian of URIAH HELMS, requested an audit of
his accounts etc. $552.30 remained in Halley's hands.

Montgomery County, KY
(Court Record Book B,
p. 387-9)

1856

Peter C. Helms, LEAH HELMS, his wife, James Caldwell, guardian
and widower of CAROLINE HELMS CALDWELL, dec'd.appoint one William
C. Splawn(?) Ralls County to act as their attorney to gain, by suit, all
their interest and monies in the estate of ANDREW HELMS, dec'd.
and THOMAS HELMS, dec'd.